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BALTIMORE—They chanted a prosecutor’s name in the streets. In quieter conversations, they thanked rioters.

On a day of emotional gratitude in West Baltimore, the most heartfelt praise was reserved for Marilyn Mosby, the freshly elected 35-year-old state lawyer who brought unexpectedly swift criminal charges Friday against all six of the police officers in the death of Freddie Gray while in custody.

But alleged criminals, the teenagers the mayor called “thugs” earlier in the week, were also applauded. In Gray’s impoverished neighbourhood and in the intersection where thousands of residents gathered to celebrate, there was a widespread belief that Mosby would not have acted — and certainly not so fast — if not for the young people who attracted global attention by attacking police officers, setting buildings on fire and looting stores on Monday.

“Those kids took their foot and stuck in on their neck and made them do their jobs,” said Torokah Gray, 29, as she stood in the intersection. “Had our kids not, we wouldn’t be right here right now for this joyous occasion. It took for our babies to get out there and beat them police as if they were our babies for us to be heard. For us to get justice. And I commend the kids.”

“It’s a shame that we had to do all that to have this come to the forefront. They weren’t going to do nothing,” said Shanna Coe, 31, as she sat on a stoop near the housing project were Gray lived. “There’s a lot of things that happen in the neighbourhood, and they just say, ‘Oh, we can’t do nothing about it.’ ”

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Mosby’s decision, residents of Gray’s part of the city said, substantiates the community’s long-ignored complaints about decades of abusive policing.

“As black people, we’ve been beat up, shut down and put out for so long. We’re finally being heard,” said Kia Whelchel, 38, who stood nearby. “It’s sad that the riot had to make us be heard. But it is what it is.”

“Now everybody sees what we’re going through. Just because we’re black don’t mean we lie,” said Wayne Baker, 52, who stood in the street and clapped. “We thought they were going to talk to us like we’re dummies and string us along. Mosby, I could kiss her today.”

Gray died April 19 after he endured a severe spinal injury at some point following his arrest on a West Baltimore street. An officer had sworn that Gray was arrested because he was carrying an illegal switchblade.

At a morning news conference, Mosby announced that Gray was actually carrying a legal knife. He suffered the fatal injury, she said, because he was left shackled and unrestrained in a police van, then denied the medical help he repeatedly requested.

The driver of the van, Officer Caesar R. Goodson Jr., was charged with second-degree “depraved heart” murder — an allegation that he was callously indifferent to whether his actions would result in death—and involuntary manslaughter, assault and “manslaughter by vehicle.”

Three officers were charged with involuntary manslaughter and assault, three with false imprisonment, two with assault.

“Today has given the Gray family a measure of hope,” family lawyer Billy Murphy said at a news conference. He called for “peace” and “love” — and for change.

“If Freddie Gray is not to die in vain, we must reform police departments throughout this country,” he said.

From top left to bottom right, the six officers arrested in connection with the death of Freddie Gray: William Porter, Garrett Miller, Alicia White, Caesar Goodson, Jr., Edward Nero, Brian Rice. (Baltimore Police Department)

U.S. President Barack Obama said he would not comment in detail on the case. But he said it is “absolutely vital that the truth comes out.”

“Those individuals who are charged obviously are also entitled to due process and rule of law,” Obama said.

Mosby’s impartiality was questioned by the Baltimore police union. In an open letter, the union noted her friendship with attorney Billy Murphy, who is representing Gray’s family and donated the maximum amount to her campaign, and the impact of the case on the career of her husband, a West Baltimore city councillor. The union called for the appointment of a special prosecutor, and its lawyer said the officers had done “nothing wrong.”

Mosby’s announcement brought thousands of joyous residents to Pennsylvania and North Aves., the intersection where rioters had burned down a pharmacy. National Guard troops with heavy weapons stood on the corner and supervised a party.

Passing drivers honked their horns. The children in a passing schoolbus chanted a high-pitched “Fredd-ie!” People held up “Black Lives Matter” signs — this time as a statement of fact, not a plea. Hugs abounded.

Baltimore women hear Friday that State's Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby has announced criminal charges against all six officers suspended after Freddie Gray suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody.. (David Goldman)

“Even if they keep the charges, that still ain’t life. But they took that man’s life,” said Bellamy, 25. “So what, they come home in five years, 15 years, 20 years. They’re coming home. That man ain’t coming home. He gone.”

The celebration was further tempered by the news of Goodson’s bail: $350,000, less than the $500,000 one 18-year-old got for allegedly damaging a police car.

And residents chafed at continued restrictions on their liberty. The 10 p.m. curfew imposed on Tuesday remained in place despite the prevailing calm. Guard troops with armoured vehicles and police in riot gear continued to guard quiet intersections downtown and in West Baltimore; Govenor Larry Hogan even called up more troops, bringing the total to 2,500.

There was trepidation over the legal battle to come. Police officers are rarely convicted of serious offences.

“I’m not going to dance, I’m not going to celebrate now,” said Whelchel. “I’ll celebrate and I’ll dance when the verdict come in and they’re found guilty. This is just step one.”

A message reading "I Love Baltimore" is written across a T-Shirt worn by Rashid Scott as he marches with protesters toward City Hall to demonstrate the police-custody death of Freddie Gray, Thursday, April 30, 2015. (David Goldman)

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